Jaipur: With Makar Sankranti just a week away, the sale of kites is yet to gain momentum in the Walled City. Though on Sunday a good number of kite lovers thronged markets in the Walled City to get the best lot of kites and manjha, the sale is not at its best yet.
Shops at Haldiyon Ka Rasta and Handipura, among others are waiting for customers.
TOI on Monday visited the famous kite markets of the Walled City to know if the weather has actually played spoilsport to this terrace sport.
“On Sunday many roads in the Walled City were chock-a-block with traffic. We were expecting the sale to gain momentum, however, again a cloudy day played spoilsport,” said Raees Khan, a wholesale trader of kites at Handipura.
Wholesale traders at Handipura said that usually they start getting good customers from last week of December during the winter breaks in school, however, this time the abrupt weather conditions have played a spoilsport.
“Now with just a week left we are still here with our packed bundles. In the absence of bright sunny days and good breeze, the kite lovers are not turning up to purchase the kites,” said Anwar Sheikh, another wholesale trader of kites at Haldiyon Ka Raasta.
Traders are now hoping that with some improvement in the weather conditions the sale of kites will begin from Wednesday, said wholesale traders.
“It appears that we may get good customers from Wednesday when there is a forecast of mainly clear sky,” said a trader.
Also, the prices of the kites are 25% to 40% higher than last year, which might be a deterrent.
“Makar Sankranti festival comes once in a year, and Jaipur is known for its kite flying. I don’t think this can stop a kite lover. Hopefully, with the change in the weather conditions we will start getting customers,” said Ram Kishan Khunteta, another wholesale dealer of the kites.
The first week of January so far has been foggy and cloudy, forcing many kite lovers to stay indoors.
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